About Us

The Kent County Dispatch Authority (hereinafter referred to as “KCDA” or the “Authority”) was formed in 2007 by action of the Kent County Board of Commissioners to address issues that related to 9-1-1 services in the County. The Authority is charged with developing policy and procedures for administering 9-1-1, creates the annual operating and capital budget, establishes goals and objectives through a strategic plan for future technological and/or operational enhancements to the 9-1-1 system, distributes 9-1-1 surcharge funds, purchases and maintains systems that support the delivery of 9-1-1 calls and works with other agencies in Kent County to maximize efficiency of 9-1-1 services.

The Authority is governed by a thirteen (13) member Administrative Policy Board representing a cross section of the Kent County public safety community and has three standing committees appointed annually by the Chairperson: the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee all of which meet as required. The committees are working committees and cannot pass nor approve actions of the Authority but make recommendations to the entire Administrative Policy Board on agenda items within their subject area of expertise. Furthermore, the Authority hires an Executive Director to address day-to-day issues of the Authority and to support the Board’s activities and the standing committees.

As the administrative body for the provisioning of 9-1-1 services in Kent County the Authority has contracts with two dispatch centers, formally called Public Safety Answering Points or PSAPs, to process incoming 9-1-1 calls. Those two PSAPs are currently located at the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. The Grand Rapids PSAP handles 9-1-1 calls from Wyoming and Grand Rapids while the Kent County Sheriff PSAP handles all other communities and agencies in Kent County with the exception of Grand Rapids airport which has its own center and is not under the administration of the Authority. Requests for police and fire records and/or 9-1-1 tapes should be directed to either Grand Rapids Police or the Kent County Sheriff.
Invalid download ID.